“Art is an experience, not an object.”

–Robert Motherwell

Musiqa’s performances will trace geographic borders, retrace ethnic heritage, and explore how we as humans can leave our own traces through our art. Our 17th season explores new musical paths with world premieres, adventurous interdisciplinary collaborations, and exciting artistic partnerships.

We hope you join us!

Music+Poetry

Folk fusions of culture and migration

Even as borders are built and broken, music has the power to connect cultures. “Origin Stories” explores the mingling of cultures in a program featuring the premiere of Anthony Brandt’s “Songs from the Source: Nine African Folk Songs,” for soprano and ensemble. Musiqa travels to Cuba as Tania León retraces her Havana roots in “A la par,” and to the north, in Pierre Jalbert’s “Crossings,” which imagines the cultural and emotional upheaval his French-Canadian ancestors faced as they migrated to the U.S. Plus, the program includes a reading of new work by acclaimed Houston poet Sarah Cortez. More »

Music in the Meeting House

Saxes in conversation

Friday, November 2, 2018 | 7:00pmFirst Congregational Church Houston

Listen between the lines as the Musiqa Saxophone Quartet performs works that blur the divides between classical, jazz, and folk. The saxophone’s unmistakable timbre and expansive range have allowed the instrument to tiptoe genre lines effortlessly. Between the Lines features music— including Catherine Likhuta’s, groovy and syncopated “Hard to Argue” — that pushes boundaries while still assuring that in the world of modern music, funk is alive and well. More »

Music+Art

Color, texture, and motion in music

Celebrated abstract painter Robert Motherwell once stated, “art is an experience, not an object.” Experience an evening of dynamic works that explore color, texture, and motion in music, featuring the world premiere of a piano trio by Karim Al-Zand’s, commissioned by Musiqa. Gaze into the creative process as celebrated Houston artist Geraldina Interiano Wise creates a live painting in front of the audience alongside a musical performance. Works by Gosfield, Hartke, and Loiacono are also on the program. More »

Music+Film

Reflections of humanity, memory, and conflict

Friday, February 22, 2019 | 7:30pmThe MATCH Box 4

Kick-off Oscars weekend with an evening of the meta, the miniscule, and the far-reaching as Musiqa celebrates experimental film and live music.“Reel Forces” examines the traces of humanity, memory, and conflict through “Beyond Zero: 1914-1918,” a moving and mesmerizing film of rare WWI archival footage by auteur-director Bill Morrison, and scored for string quartet by Aleksandra Vrebalov. Works by Marcus Karl Maroney and Florent Ghys complete the program. More »

Music in the Meeting House

It’s easy as one, two, three…

Friday, March 22, 2019 | 7:00pmFirst Congregation Church Houston

Watch and listen as we build an ensemble one player at a time. In this mixtape of the music of our time, encounter a world of works by emerging and established composers from Australia and Argentina to China and the United States. This program features a young artist ensemble, showcasing emerging talent in Houston. More »

Music+Literature

A collaboration with Houston Chamber Choir

Saturday, April 13, 2019 | 7:30pmSt. Philip Presbyterian Church

Scored for choir and six percussionists, “Mass Observation” by British-American composer Tarik O’Regan, receives its southwest premiere in this Houston Chamber Choir and MUSIQA collaboration. The work takes its title from the British social research organization, Mass-Observation, which aimed to record everyday life in the United Kingdom. It is a poignant meditation on the histories of our varied ambivalent relationships with surveillance in its myriad guises. Rounding out the program are works by Karim Al-Zand and by Marcus Karl Maroney. More »

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As a season pass holder you get:

Priority admission, reserved seating: Get the best seats in the house!

An evening with a friend: Get one complimentary companion ticket to a performance of your choice.

Easy, flexible exchanges: If you can’t make the performance, tickets can be exchanged, gifted to a friend, or converted into a tax-deductible donation!

Invitations to subscriber-only events: As a subscriber, you get invitations to exclusive events throughout the season.